Luxembourg pleads for European consulates

(BRUSSELS2) Like several countries (*), Luxembourg is campaigning to strengthen the European External Action Service (EEAS), particularly by giving it a role in consular protection. Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn explained this in detail at the diplomatic conference in Latvia at the end of December. This is a matter of both principle and practice. "At a time when Euroscepticism is on the rise, it is important that the public sees in concrete terms what the European Union can offer our citizens. When a disaster strikes in a country or and our citizens need help or information, the EU Delegation there should be able to offer support to our supporters".

Citizens should be able to request assistance from the EU Delegation

In practice, the European network is very extensive and has more representations than can be offered by countries which have only a more limited representation in the world. Luxembourg already has certain consular arrangements with other countries such as Belgium. But it could be developed. "Our citizens can then be assisted by Belgian embassies and consulates if necessary. Why EU Delegations couldn't have similar arrangements and offer this kind of support to all EU citizens he asks. Several countries (*) have thus started to work on the specific consular tasks that EU embassies could fulfill.”I intend to push this initiative with all possible means, because it is not only good for the small countries which are not present everywhere in the world, but because it is also good for the European Union in general and the public's perception of the EU."

Take initiatives

Luxembourg is one of the signatory countries of the "letter of 12" (**) and pleads for a strengthening of the methods of the EEAS, a better sharing of information on the spot in third countries but also a closer association of the States with the recruitment procedures. "The representatives of the Member States must fully participate in the juries which select the candidates. Without this, how to be sure that the traditional skills of the States' diplomats will be fairly appreciated", explains Asselborn. More generally, he believes that we must believe in the European diplomatic service, and that its reinforcement is necessary. "Its primary mission is to assist the High Representative." But not only. "It must not only allow Lady Ashton to represent the EU but also, and this is crucial, to develop policy, take initiatives and actively build consensus around them.". A thinly disguised message to the High Representative herself...

The Community method, forever

The Luxembourg Minister also placed his speech under the sign of a vigorous plea in favor of the Community method, the "only truly democratic and sustainable decision-making method, even in troubled times". This method "ensures that the rights and interests of any State or private party are protected on the basis of a democratic and fair system" he explains, before blurting out:The rule of the fittest has no legitimacy in the European Union, it never had, and never will.“A very clear allusion to the initiative of Germany and France on the fiscal compact taken before the last summit in December. "There is a creeping trend towards intergovernmentalism spreading across the EU." But this one does not seem to be the right method, please illustrate it with an example. Didn't the last summit in Brussels decide at least on a few points (automatic sanctions, participation of the private sector), the opposite of what Germany and France had agreed, all alone, in Deauville.

(*) Benelux countries, Baltic countries, Sweden and Finland.

(**) Read : The letter of the Twelve on the European diplomatic service. What “suggestions”!

Text of speech in B2 docs